The 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima will turn 22 on April 25, 2011.

He was kidnapped by the Chinese government in 1995 within 2 months of being officially recognized as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Beijing has yet to reveal the whereabouts or well-being of the once youngest political prisoner in the world and his family. This year marks the 16th year since he disappeared.

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Update: According to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Chinese security forces have cordoned off Ngaba Kirti monastery and additional troops have been called in following the protests in solidarity with the late Tibetan monk Phuntsok. Fear of mass starvation in the monastery is becoming a harsh reality as the restriction on the monastery has led to shortage of food supplies and as local Tibetan civilians have been warned against offering food to the monastery.

Take Action: Tell China to stop the violent crackdown in Ngaba

Click here to find more ways you can take action in solidarity

Click here to find info on solidarity protests near you

Click here to read the Press Statement of the 5 NGOs in India condemning the crackdown in Ngaba

Pictures of the ongoing tense situation in Ngaba : Photo credit: Free Tibet

Join a Protest/Event for Tibet on March 10th

>>If your city is not listed below, please email us to find out if there is an event happening near you.

>>If you are organizing a March 10th event, please email us the details so we can add it to the list below.

Dharamshala: Tenzin Choedon +91 9816479812

Delhi: Yangchen +91 9911323768

Bangalore: Younten  +91 9538081005

Pune: Tenzin Tselha +91 9970219257

Ahmedabad: Gopal

Kolkata: Pmba Bhutia +91 9932883275

If you are not in India, find out about protests in your country here.

Losar 2010: Because I am Tibetan

Dear friends and supporters of Tibet,

Tibetans will mark Losar – the Tibetan New Year – on February 14th, 2010. In the Tibetan lunar calendar, this day marks the beginning of the Iron Tiger Year 2137, a time for change, hope, and renewal. On this day, we celebrate our history, our culture, our religion, and our future – because our history is great, our culture beautiful, our religion profound, and – in spite of our present suffering – our future is bright.

Since 2008, following the Tibetan uprising in all three historical provinces of Tibet, we witnessed an escalation in the imprisonment, torture and death of our fellow countrymen and women under Chinese rule. Because of this, last year, Tibetans united around the world and did not celebrate Losar.

This year, many Tibetans are planning to observe Losar for one reason only: because we are Tibetan. We will speak Tibetan language, wear Tibetan dress, and observe Tibetan customs, thus strengthening our identity and our spirit. Through this observance we will find new courage and opportunities to advance our struggle. In observing Losar with family and friends, Tibetans will reach for happiness, which, as much as suffering, is an integral part of a freedom movement.

Through all these years of occupation one thing is clear: the oppressor envies the spirit of the Tibetan people, which cannot be crushed by violence. This year Tibetans worldwide will nourish this spirit with the observance of Losar.

While observing this important cultural tradition, we ask Tibetans and supporters to light butter lamps and candles on their altars and in their windows on February 14th to honor the courage of the Tibetan people in Tibet who continue to resist the Chinese government’s illegal occupation of their homeland.

Tibet will be free.

With hope,

Tenzin Dorjee,                         Lhadon Tethong,
Executive Director, SFT           Director, Tibet Action Institute

Please watch this inspiring video from Amdo, Eastern Tibet, where Tibetans, young and old, declare the myriad ways they are Tibetan.